2001 PSC SCHOLARSHIPS CEREMONY

BACKGROUND FACTSHEET

Background

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is holding its 2^nd Scholarships Ceremony on Saturday 28 July 2001 at 2.30pm at the Grand Hyatt Singapore. This year also marks PSC’s 50 ^th Anniversary. The Guest-of-Honour is Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong. The programme for the event is at Annex 1

PM Goh will be presenting awards to 266 PSC scholars. They will be awarded with the ‘Open’ and ‘Tied’ Overseas Merit Scholarship (OMS), Local-Overseas Merit Scholarship (L-OMS), Singapore Government Scholarship (SGS) and Local Merit Scholarship (LMS) awards. The profile of these scholars is shown in Annex 2.

Also in attendance at the ceremony are the Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholars and the Singapore Police Force Overseas Scholars.

The L-OMS and LMS scholars will be studying in NUS and NTU, while the SAFOS, SPFOS, OMS and SGS scholars will proceed to overseas universities in Canada, Germany, Japan, People’s Republic of China, United Kingdom and the United States of America. Scholars on L-OMS awards who do well in their first degree, will also be sponsored for a Masters degree in an overseas university.

‘Open’ vs ‘Tied’ Awards

Scholars awarded the ‘Open’ awards will be appointed to positions in the Civil Service that are relevant to their disciplines of study, aptitudes and interests. Outstanding scholars with the aptitude for policy work and management will be appointed to the Administrative Service or the Dual Career Scheme. Scholars under the ‘Tied’ awards are already earmarked for careers with certain ministries, namely, Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Selection Process

The Public Service Commission (PSC) awarded a total of 254 scholarships in the 2001 PSC Scholarships selection exercise, which was just completed in June. The scholars are recipients of SAFOS, SPFOS, OMS, L-OMS, SOS and LMS awards.

The pre-qualifying factors for these scholars are their consistently excellent academic performance and co-curricular activities (CCA). However, final selection was premised on leadership qualities, character and personality.

To gain an insight into the leadership, character and personality of scholarship candidates, PSC asks JC teachers and principals to give an assessment of the candidate’s personal attributes, including his leadership ability, integrity, responsibility, interpersonal and communication skills, teamwork, emotional maturity, and creativity. These school reports are an integral part of the selection process. PSC also requires each candidate to complete an essay about himself, his values and beliefs. The essay presents an opportunity for the selection panel to get to know the candidate on a more personal level by understanding his goals, aspirations and philosophy in life. Further, each candidate vying for a top scholarship undergoes an in-depth psychological interview. This gives us additional information on the personality and character of the candidate, and whether he or she will be able to cope with the demands that come with the scholarship. PSC also checks the NS records of male candidates to determine if they have a positive attitude to National Service. For the SAF and SPF Scholarships, NS records serve to assess a candidate’s command and leadership ability.

Last but not least, all PSC candidates are required to undergo a selection interview. Candidates competing for the top scholarships are interviewed by a Selection Board chaired by the Chairman of the PSC. The Board comprises PSC members and others who come from the private sector, as well as academics from the NUS and NTU.

Pre Departure Course & Community Service Involvement

PSC overseas scholars attend the Pre-Departure Course before they leave Singapore for studies. Besides preparing the scholars for living overseas, the course aims to heighten their awareness of political, economic, security and social issues in Singapore. It also aims to groom the scholars to be better leaders, as they come to understand their own leadership styles, strengths and weaknesses. Through this course, ties are also built up amongst the scholars. The outline of the course is at Annex 3.

This year’s Pre-Departure Course was held from 10 - 27 July 2001. Besides a 3-day Outward Bound Singapore programme, the Pre-Departure Course also included a Community Exposure Programme, where the scholars gained a better awareness of the needs and aspirations of their fellow Singaporeans, through their attachments to schools and grassroots organisations such as the Community Development Councils (CDCs). The last week is conducted as a seminar where they discuss issues of national interest, as well as understand better their roles and responsibilities as PSC Scholars.

Prepared by: PSC Secretariat

24 July 2001